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Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
The future Mrs Bezos: All you need to know about Lauren Sánchez ahead of the $10m Venice wedding set to be the celeb event of the year
The bride is Lauren Sánchez, 55, Emmy-winning journalist, former news anchor and helicopter pilot who recently led the infamous all-female space expedition with Katy Perry and other gal pals on her fiance's Blue Origin rocket. 'I can't put it into words,' she gushed afterwards, 'but I looked out the window and we got to see the moon.' She must have her eyes on the honeymoon now. Bezos and Sánchez tie the knot in Venice, celebrating from June 24 -26 with another galaxy of stars among the 200 guests: Eva Longoria, Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian. Rumours are flying, much like Sánchez. ('I want to be in a helicopter all the time,' she has said.) But a spokesman for the mayor of Venice confirmed to CNN that the nuptials will take place on Bezos's $500m super yacht Koru, to be anchored in Venice lagoon. The happy couple has also reportedly booked out the city's fanciest hotels, Gritti Palace and Aman Venice for family and friends, at a cost of some $2.5m. Such were concerns about the wedding party potentially inundating the sinking city, the mayor's office released a statement clarifying: 'The Bezos wedding has not booked large amounts of gondolas or excessive numbers of water taxis.' The gown will surely be excessive. Apparently Anna Wintour advised Sánchez to wear Oscar de la Renta. Expect wasp waist and unapologetic cleavage from the woman who scandalised America by wearing a white lace corset to Donald Trump's inauguration. Where to begin with this love story? It famously started as an affair in 2018 when both were married to other people — Sánchez to Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell (worth a piddling $480m, according to Bloomberg), the father of two of her three children; Bezos to novelist and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, his wife of 25 years and mother of his four children. All was revealed when Sánchez's brother made $200,000 selling the National Enquirer a sexy, bare-chested text sent from Bezos to Sánchez calling her his 'alive girl'. Undeterred, by 2020 they were an official couple. They are divisive, some calling them a pair of smug homewreckers and others lauding their age-appropriate chemistry and canny brand partnership. He has money and political clout; she has charisma and Hollywood connections. Both are self-made and ambitious with humble roots. She's a third-generation Mexican American; his father was a Cuban immigrant. In 2023, the couple got engaged while vacationing in France on the 127-metre super yacht with its buxom wooden figurehead of Sánchez on the prow. The 30-carat diamond ring is worth an estimated $5m. Last month, she flew her A-list besties to Paris for a four-day hen party, and 'one hundred percent' intends to take the Bezos surname. The couple's relationship is the focus of intense speculation and intrigue with most of the public discourse revolving around Sánchez. She is a fascinating operator. Watching her many appearances on TV chat shows — on the other side of the table these days — it's clear her superpower is creating instant intimacy. She can believably seem like she's just like everyone else, with charming, disarming results. In her years as a TV correspondent, she was an expert at flattery and connection. In 2010, the same year she was voted in People magazine's top 50 most beautiful people, Sánchez's interview with Bill Clinton was a masterclass in effective plámás. But you can't talk out both sides of your mouth. Sánchez has been called a hypocrite for waxing proud about saving the planet and addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through her vice-chairmanship of the Bezos Earth Fund, which has pledged $10bn to climate action. When a 2020 Oxfam study found that the carbon emissions of the richest 1pc are more than double those of the poorest half of the world, it's a bit rich to expect kudos for trying to fix a problem you created. With their space flights, private jets, massive yacht — and all those Amazon deliveries — Sánchez and Bezos are racking up a brachiosaurus-sized carbon footprint. Oh, and the SDGs also cover the protection of labour rights, like those highlighted in last year's award-winning documentary Union about Amazon's treatment of its workforce. Little wonder Sánchez is leaning into the positive PR of being a poster woman for midlife love and reinvention. 'When I was 20, I thought, 'Oh my gosh, life is over at 50.' Let me tell you, it is not ladies — it is not over,' she grinned, on US talk show Today. 'It is just beginning.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez wedding to be ‘intimate,' under $15M: Exclusive
Welcome to 'The Scoop' — the ultimate back-to-the-office water cooler cheat sheet, your go-to source for all things everyone really wants to know! Get the latest on everything from the political swamp maneuvering in D.C. and Hollywood drama to jaw-dropping small-town shenanigans from Paula Froelich. (NewsNation) — The Italian extravaganza of the Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding is almost upon us. Set to take place in Venice, Italy, at the end of June, it is not, as suggested in other outlets, going to be a huge spectacular event costing hundreds of millions of dollars. In fact, a source close to the couple told me, 'It's going to be very intimate — just family and close friends. Under 200 people.' Meghan, Harry 'diss' Victoria Beckham; Harry faces charity woes: Source Rumors of performances by Lady Gaga and Sir Elton John are also 'false,' my source said, adding, 'That's ridiculous.' What is to be sure — it will be lovely and the event of the year. While the guests are preparing — picking out outfits, getting last-minute tweaks at the plastic surgeons and jockeying for the right seat at the right table — final finishes are being made to the elaborate plans. And with finishes come the bill, which, when broken down, looks like it will set Bezos back millions of dollars — but not so much as compared to, say, the Ambani wedding last year, which cost the richest family in India over $600 million to pull off. So, how much will it cost? In order to entertain the guests, which, as I first announced, will include Kris and Kim Kardashian, Gayle King, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, Brian and Victoria Grazer among others, one must not skimp. And by my calculations, without skimping, the check will clear at around $9.5 to 11 million. According to CEOWorld, high-end wedding planners like Colin Cowie can charge up to 20% of the entire wedding cost to orchestrate a perfect multi-day event — and for a wedding that costs a minimum of $9.5 million, his fee would be a whopping $2 million. The wedding guests (and the bridal couple) will be staying at the Aman Venice and the Gritti Palace, both of which are estimated to cost $500,000 a night to book out. Cost for three nights for the Aman (which has only 24 rooms and suites and will be for family), $1.5 million; cost for the Gritti Palace for two nights (for guests), $1 million. Total: $2.5 million Oscar de la Renta couture dress: $250,000. Lauren Sanchez has been known to spend $200,000 on couture dresses, so why would her wedding dress be any different? King Charles refusing chemo, could see Harry at end of month: Insider Hair and makeup will be about $100,000 (if the couple is covering all hair and makeup for the event). And flowers could cost $175,000. This was the cost for the Ambani wedding flowers — and why would we expect less from the Bezos'? Matthew Oliver Weddings estimates a high-end wedding costs the couple $50,000 for food and drink for 50 people. The Bezos wedding is expected to be at least 200 people, so $200,000 it is … and multiply that by three days … with tax, we can assume the food and drink bill will be close to $600,000 (this could easily double based on how many crates of Veuve Clicquot are quaffed) Let's say an ultra high-end photographer like Annie Leibovitz was engaged… the cost for three days of Leibovitz's talents would be near $500,000. This is tricky. While most guests will be flying themselves, service people (trusted hair and makeup artists, technicians, botox injectors, etc) will not be expected to pay for their flights. Let's assume 10 people will have their first-class flights to Venice during high season, which will cost around $100,000. Plus the cost of a private jumbo jet for Sanchez, Bezos and their families: $200,000. Day trips, planned outings and the cost of the yacht Koru not only to be parked outside Venice for a week but also to engage in a few sailing trips for guests: $500,000. Katy Perry not welcome back in Las Vegas for residency: Source Bezos proposed to Sanchez with a humongous, 30-carat, cushion-cut diamond engagement ring, said to be worth around $5 million. And why would the engagement ring outshine the wedding jewels? I am conservatively placing this cost at another $5-10 million (although if Sanchez has an Ambani-style necklace, earrings and more to match her large décolletage, it could be millions more). The total cost (without the honeymoon) conservatively comes to $9.5 – $11 million… only slightly more than it cost to send Sanchez and her pals to space, so… bonus! Have fun, y'all! Reps for Bezos and Sanchez didn't return emails. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lauren Sánchez's Brother Likens Her And Jeff Bezos's Upcoming Nuptials To Princess Diana's Iconic Wedding
Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos are set to have one of the most talked-about weddings of the decade, with their upcoming nuptials being compared to the grand royal wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. Lauren's brother, Paul Sánchez, recently shared his excitement about the event, calling it a "star-studded" celebration that will be "like a Princess Di thing." With exclusive wedding plans unfolding in Venice, a guest list packed with A-list celebrities, and an extravagant setting, this wedding is shaping up to be a defining social event of 2025. Lauren's older brother, Paul, spoke with TMZ about the highly anticipated wedding and did not hold back in his enthusiasm. When asked about the scale of the event, he responded, "I think it's gonna be like a Princess Di thing. Just huge and fun, and just a blast." His comparison immediately drew attention, as Princess Diana's wedding to Prince Charles in 1981 was widely regarded as the "wedding of the century." Diana and Charles's wedding, held at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, was an opulent affair that cost around $48 million at the time—equivalent to approximately $168 million today. The event was watched by an astonishing 750 million people worldwide. While Lauren and Bezos's wedding might not reach the same level of royal tradition, it is expected to be an extravagant affair filled with Hollywood royalty, top-tier executives, and close friends of the couple. Paul also emphasized his excitement, saying, "I'm thrilled beyond belief. It's gonna be an amazing event. It's gonna be star-studded and fun." He remained tight-lipped about the exact details of the ceremony but confirmed that the couple had already sent out invitations. However, when it comes to choosing a wedding gift for the billionaire couple, he admitted to having "no clue," though he thinks he and other guests might be encouraged to "make a donation to your favorite charity." Lauren and Bezos chose the Italian city of Venice, known for its romantic and historic charm, as the location for their wedding. Reports suggest the couple has secured some of Venice's most exclusive venues, including the legendary Gritti Palace and the seven-star Aman Venice. These locations have been booked from June 26 to June 29, further fueling speculation that their wedding festivities will take place on these dates. According to local sources, the couple's decision to wed in Venice was not random. "Choosing Venice is more than a romantic gesture—it's a nod to the couple's shared history with the city, which they've frequently visited during their relationship," a report revealed per the Daily Mail. While some rumors initially suggested that the wedding might take place on Bezos's $500 million yacht, Koru, an insider debunked the claims, stating, "I promise you the wedding is not on the boat." However, the yacht will still play a role in the celebrations, possibly hosting excursions for guests or serving as the starting point for the couple's honeymoon. As expected for a billionaire and an Emmy-winning journalist, Bezos and Lauren's wedding guest list includes some of the biggest names in entertainment, business, and politics. A source confirmed to PEOPLE Magazine that notable attendees include Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, as well as model Karlie Kloss and her husband, Joshua Kushner. In addition, close friends of the bride, such as Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Eva Longoria, are expected to be present. The guest list also includes Lauren's all-female Blue Origin space crew members, including singer Katy Perry and journalist Gayle King. Reports also suggest that high-profile figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, and former President Donald Trump may attend due to their connections with the groom. "People are calling everyone they know. Old friends, ex-flames, assistants of assistants—just trying to figure out who got an invite. And more importantly, who didn't," an insider told Radar Online. Lauren Sánchez has been open about her excitement for the wedding and her future with Jeff Bezos. She has previously expressed her eagerness to take on her new last name, saying in a 2023 interview with Vogue Magazine, "Uh, yes, one hundred percent. I am looking forward to being Mrs. Bezos." Bezos, in turn, has spoken about his deep admiration for Lauren. In an interview with CNN, he shared, "Lauren is the most generous, most big-hearted person that you would ever meet... She never misses a birthday. The network of people that she gives birthday presents to is gigantic. And that's just a small example." He also highlighted their strong bond, adding, "We're really great teammates, and we also have a lot of fun together. And we love each other."
Telegraph
27-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Jeff Bezos to hold star-studded three-day wedding in Venice
The location of Jeff Bezos's highly-anticipated second wedding was apparently given away by the mayor of Venice after he boasted the celebrations will generate millions for the city. The billionaire founder of Amazon is to tie the knot with his fiancee Lauren Sáchez, a former television journalist, amid the cupolas, spires, stone bridges and squawking seagulls of Venice, according to Luigi Brugnaro. 'This event will bring economic returns of millions of euros to the city,' Mr Brugnaro said on Thursday. The three-day celebration, which will take place between June 24 and 26 promises to be a bonanza for hoteliers, restaurant owners, water taxi drivers and gondoliers. It will be the biggest celebrity wedding in the World Heritage city since George Clooney married human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin a decade ago. The guest list for the Bezos nuptials reportedly includes Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and her property developer husband Jared Kushner, Kim Kardashian, the actress Eva Longoria, British actor Orlando Bloom and his fiancée, pop star Katy Perry, and Oprah Winfrey. According to reports in Italy, Venice's entire fleet of water taxis has already been reserved by the couple to ferry their guests around, and the top hotels are fully booked, from the legendary Gritti Palace to the Danieli and the Belmond Hotel Cipriani. A suite with a Grand Canal view at the Gritti Palace costs more than €9,000 (£7,500) a night in June. At the Hotel Danieli, a luxury room with a view of the lagoon costs around €4,000 (£3,300) a night. The nuptials will be organised by a British event organiser, Lanza & Baucina, according to the Italian press. The London firm has a reputation for organising grand events for the super wealthy and prides itself on its discretion. 'We have worked on every continent and are responsible for masterminding the world's most exclusive, private and spectacular parties,' the agency says on its website. 'Discretion is paramount to us. We have no social media presence and no examples of previous work are published.' One of the founders of the company is said to own a house in Venice. Money will presumably be no object for Mr Bezos, who is ranked by Forbes the second richest person on the planet, with a fortune valued at $218bn (£168bn). He and his fiancée are expected to arrive in Venice on board his yacht, which cost $500m (£386m) to build. It is named the Koru, which is a Maori word for loop or coil. Sporting three huge masts, it is the largest sailing yacht in the world at 410ft in length and costs around $30 million a year to run. There is feverish speculation over where the wedding will take place. One venue being touted is the Palazzo Ducale or Doge's Palace, the Gothic-arched former seat of the doges who ran Venice as a maritime trading power for nearly 1,000 years. Or it may be that Mr Bezos opts for the Arsenal, a historic complex of slipways, boat sheds, workshops and canals where for generations the Venetians built their warships. Another option is said to be the Fondazione Cini, a cluster of picturesque stone cloisters, courtyards and bell towers on the island of San Giorgio in the lagoon. Once known as the Isola dei Cipressi or Island of Cypresses, San Giorgio evolved into an important Benedictine monastery. The nuptials come two years after Mr Bezos, 61, proposed to 55-year-old Ms Sánchez. He gave her a 20-carat diamond ring reportedly worth $2.5 million. Ms Sánchez later said she had 'blacked out a bit' when she first saw the ring. 'We're still thinking about the wedding, what it's going to be. Is it going to be big? Is it going to be overseas? We don't know yet. We've only been engaged five months,' she said previously. They held an engagement party in August 2023 on board the Koru, anchored off Positano on the Amalfi Coast, with the guest list including Queen Rania of Jordan, Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio and Spiderman actor Tobey Maguire. The Amazon founder and owner of The Washington Post had four children with his first wife, MacKenzie Scott, but they divorced in 2019 after 25 years of marriage. Ms Sánchez has two children with her first husband, Patrick Whitesell.
